Backlight color 436/536

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

When I look at the pictures of the boxes for these radios, the display backlight looks white, similar to the PSR 800
BUT, when I look at videos on Youtube, the displays look blue.

So my concern is that I bought the 396T when it first came out, and I found the display to be unusable. THAT blue color is impossible for me to see, and gives me a headache.

So is the 436/536 backlight similar to the 396, which was a rather dark blue, or is it closer to white?

Thanks

mitbr · Jan 31, 2015

scosgt said:
When I look at the pictures of the boxes for these radios, the display backlight looks white, similar to the PSR 800
BUT, when I look at videos on Youtube, the displays look blue.

So my concern is that I bought the 396T when it first came out, and I found the display to be unusable. THAT blue color is impossible for me to see, and gives me a headache.

So is the 436/536 backlight similar to the 396, which was a rather dark blue, or is it closer to white?

Thanks

Its closer to white.

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

Is there any problem seeing it in daylight? I assume I would keep the backlight on, but some of the older Unidens (346, 396) were impossible to see without the back light, and the 396 even with the backlight (for me).

mitbr · Jan 31, 2015

I found a youtube video that compares the screens for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHCdFqkyJUo

mitbr · Jan 31, 2015

scosgt said:
Is there any problem seeing it in daylight? I assume I would keep the backlight on, but some of the older Unidens (346, 396) were impossible to see without the back light, and the 396 even with the backlight (for me).

Because of the larger screen the 436hp is very readable in bright daylight don't even need the backlight

K2KOH · Jan 31, 2015

Bruce it's good. I've used it all over the place. Display is excellent. It very light blue, but they consider it white.

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

mitbr said:
I found a youtube video that compares the screens for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHCdFqkyJUo

Thank you!
That video clearly shows the issue I have with the 396.

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

Looking at the stuff on Youtube, I will be looking for the 536. Display is more to my liking.

K2KOH · Jan 31, 2015

536 is damned good as well. I originally had the 536 in my 2007 Escape, and took it to Wisconsin and back, and down to North Carolina. It performed quite well. I personally don't care about the siren and analyze so I'm happy, I just had to get it to like my Mac Mini, and now it does. The new 2014 Escape has a Home Patrol 2 on a windshield mount. Another good radio.

Voyager · Jan 31, 2015

scosgt said:
BUT, when I look at videos on Youtube, the displays look blue.

So my concern is that I bought the 396T when it first came out, and I found the display to be unusable. THAT blue color is impossible for me to see, and gives me a headache.

So is the 436/536 backlight similar to the 396, which was a rather dark blue, or is it closer to white?

You mean the video that says the backlight is white, but the camera makes it look blue?

Really, there are enough x36s out there that you should know someone who has one who would let you see it.

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

N2MWE said:
536 is damned good as well. I originally had the 536 in my 2007 Escape, and took it to Wisconsin and back, and down to North Carolina. It performed quite well. I personally don't care about the siren and analyze so I'm happy, I just had to get it to like my Mac Mini, and now it does. The new 2014 Escape has a Home Patrol 2 on a windshield mount. Another good radio.

Try to stay legal!

scosgt · Jan 31, 2015

Voyager said:
You mean the video that says the backlight is white, but the camera makes it look blue?

Really, there are enough x36s out there that you should know someone who has one who would let you see it.

Yes, the camera makes it look very bluish. I have the PSR 800 and PRO-18, and they are white. In the comparison videos, the X36 looks somewhat bluish when compared to the 800, but some of that may be how the LCD reacts to the camera.

Voyager · Feb 1, 2015

In the intro video, it is stated that the camera makes it look bluish.

mitbr · Feb 1, 2015

Both the 536 and 436 are fine radios. They both perform better than any of my previous scanners and I have about 20 of them .

Couple of things that really stand out is functionality and performance. The quick key system along with the full data base make programming so simple and quick its ridiculous.

The true NFM filter works real well in high rf environments. My HP1 would suffer from rf over load when in the car the 436 and 536 scan 100 percent in the car big difference.

They're both beautiful radios that will make you happy.
Tim

stingray327 · Feb 1, 2015

mitbr said:
Both the 536 and 436 are fine radios. They both perform better than any of my previous scanners and I have about 20 of them .

Couple of things that really stand out is functionality and performance. The quick key system along with the full data base make programming so simple and quick its ridiculous.

The true NFM filter works real well in high rf environments. My HP1 would suffer from rf over load when in the car the 436 and 536 scan 100 percent in the car big difference.

They're both beautiful radios that will make you happy.
Tim

so the 436 and 536 outperform the HP-2 also?

mitbr · Feb 1, 2015

stingray327 said:
so the 436 and 536 outperform the HP-2 also?

I only have the HP1 but I am told they are similar in performance and neither the HP1 or HP2 have the true NFM filter. In my experience the HP1 was a poor performer in the car but it performs well sitting beside me at home in my living room.

scosgt · Feb 1, 2015

mitbr said:
I only have the HP1 but I am told they are similar in performance and neither the HP1 or HP2 have the true NFM filter. In my experience the HP1 was a poor performer in the car but it performs well sitting beside me at home in my living room.

The HP-1 does not hold a candle performance wise to the PSR-800. Or the PRO-96. Or the PRO-18

It is not even as sensitive as the 996T

But, it has a great display and is easy to use (other than not having a resume button) and is fine if you are not trying to pull in distant systems.

I think part of the problem is the SMA antenna connection. It forces you to use an adapter to use a better antenna. And I think that causes some degree of signal loss.

stingray327 · Feb 3, 2015

mitbr said:
I only have the HP1 but I am told they are similar in performance and neither the HP1 or HP2 have the true NFM filter. In my experience the HP1 was a poor performer in the car but it performs well sitting beside me at home in my living room.

I am considering the HP-2 for use in the car. Then I am hoping Whistler will come out with a scanner I can use at home. Prefer large radio not handheld as basestation.

Subliminal87 · Feb 4, 2015

scosgt said:
Looking at the stuff on Youtube, I will be looking for the 536. Display is more to my liking.

That display is nice, I like it. I'm really only going with the 436 for grab and go and price.

Someday I'll get the 536, I'll sell the 996xt first though.

marksmith · Mar 26, 2015

Used an HP-1e in the vehicle until the HP-2e was available. Now use that a lot in vehicle. Works great. Between DC and Baltimore. One of the highest RF environments you are going to find.

For mobile purposes, the HP-1/HP-2 screens are very readable. Since I have to squint to read my 536 it's one of my base scanners. HP-2 also does P2 well in this area.

Mark
536HP/HP1e/HP2e/996P2/996XT
996T/396XT(2)/PSR800/PRO668

Backlight color 436/536

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